If you have a defunct car on your driveway, getting rid of it is easy—you can sell it to salvage yards for cash and they’ll handle the removal. Some trusted junk car removal companies are Junk Car Medics, Clunker Junker, and LA City Junk Cars.

It can be hard to get rid of a car, especially when it has sentimental value—however, keeping a defunct car can be costly and takes up precious driveway space. A simple way to offload the car without dealing with towing and removal fees is to sell it to a salvage yard or auto recycler. Not only will this free up space, but it could also give parts of your car a new life.

The

car insurance

comparison app and broker,

Jerry

, has compiled a guide to help you find some of the best places to sell junk cars for cash in Los Angeles. And before we wrap up, we'll even share how to put more money in your pocket by scoring lower

Los Angeles car insurance costs

for your remaining vehicle (or vehicles!).

Find out if you can reduce your monthly car payments in minutes

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* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score

What qualifies as a junk car?

The junk car label can be very subjective, depending on who’s looking at the car. A beat-up first car can be someone’s treasure, while others see it as junk. If you’re determining if your car should go, here’s a more objective view of what is considered a junk car:

The car is not in working condition

The resale value is $500 or below

The car is permanently parked in one spot

The repairs are more expensive than what the car is worth

Keeping a defunct car can become a financial burden. Selling it may be your best choice of action—you’ll earn some cash and free up space for a new car!

MORE:

How to insure a car with a salvage title

How to sell a junk car

Doing your research and preparing before selling your junk car makes the process a breeze. Below is a general guideline of what to do to get the most value out of your junk car:

1. Gather the available car documents. In some states, you can sell a junk car without a certificate of title. Depending on the buyer, you may be able to get away without one, but it is best to have it available. If you’ve lost or damaged your title, you will need to

replace the title

at the DMV.

2. Find trusted junkyards or buyers. A trustworthy salvage yard will make a big difference to your selling experience. Look for somewhere that has a valid license and uses a certified scale to ensure you’ll be offered a fair value. Craigslist or local newspaper listings are another way to sell your car if you’re looking for an individual buyer.

3. Clean out the car. Don’t leave any important documents or personal items in the car or they will be lost forever. Check the car thoroughly and clean the inside of the car before having it removed.

4. Remove the license plates and non-metal components. In most cases, you don’t need to return your license plates in California—you can keep them as a memento! Some salvage yards may ask you to remove any upholstery or non-metal components.

5. Take out any working parts. Functioning parts can still have a resale value so you can try salvaging them before your car gets picked up.

6. Sign over the title. Some states will require you to sign the title to the new car owner. In California, you can fill out a form to

transfer the title

instead.

7. Cancel your insurance. Once you sell the car, you can cancel your car insurance. However, you will need new car insurance if you get another car. This process can be done quickly with the help of

Jerry

MORE:

How to sell a junk car for cash

Where to sell a junk car in Los Angeles

Googling “where to sell my junk car in Los Angeles” may be the fastest way to find a place to offload your car, but not all businesses on the results list will be trustworthy. Below are a few trusted businesses in Los Angeles to get you started.

The Clunker Junker

Address: The Clunker Junker Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90001

Phone number: (888) 383-4181

BBB rating: A+

The Clunker Junker

offers cash for junk vehicles, including cars, trucks, and SUVs. You can get an instant cash quote after filling out their online questionnaire—a free towing service is offered to pick up your car if you accept their offer. In some cases, you will be able to sell your car without a title but it is best to contact them for more details.

Junk Car Medics

Address: Junk Car Medics Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90034

Phone number: (213) 516-6714

BBB rating: A+

Junk Car Medics

makes selling your junk car a hassle-free process—you can get a free online quote without any obligations. If you accept their offer, a representative will call and arrange free towing for your car. On the scheduled day, just sign the title, hand over the keys, and get cash right away.

LA City Junk Cars

Address: 1537 W Olympic Blvd, Montebello, CA 90640

Phone number: (323) 535-2733

BBB rating: NR, but rated 4.4/5.0 on Google

If you want to support a locally-owned small business, contact

LA City Junk Cars

. The business has been operating since 1994 and will buy junk cars in any condition. If you accept their offer, there will be a complimentary same-day pickup service so that your car is removed ASAP.

MORE:

Here’s how to save money on car expenses

How to find affordable car insurance in Los Angeles

Selling your junk car will help you save up more money and free up some space for a new car! If you want to find even more savings, you can tackle your insurance rates as well. Jerry, the

#1-rated insurance app

on the App Store, can help you.

Jerry

makes the process simple—just download the app and input your information. Within a minute, you’ll have the best quotes filtered from over 55 top insurance companies. Pick the policy you want and Jerry will handle the rest.

The average Jerry user saves $800+ a year on car insurance, just by using the app!

“
Jerry
found me useful quotes immediately, so I switched over my insurance in under an hour! I’m now helping my parents use Jerry because they just bought a new car.” —Brindi J.

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